An Investigation of the Ratio Between Second and Fourth Fingers in Newborns

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to determine the measurements and the relation between measured parameters of hand, second and fourth finger in full term, newborn with low birth weight and premature newborns. Materials and method: We were studied 60 premature newborns (Male 30, Female 30) who were aged between 29 and 37 post menstrual week and 60 full term newborns (Male 30, Female 30) and 60 newborn with low birth weight (Male 30, Female 30). In all cases, hand length, hand width, second and fourth finger lengths, hand index [(hand width ÷ hand length) x 100] and second-fourth finger index [(2nd finger length ÷ 4th finger length) x 100] were measured. Results: The measurements of hand and finger were significantly different between groups in whom it was greater in full term newborns (p<0.05). There were differences in the hand width, second finger lengths in full term newborns between sexes (p<0.05). A significant positive correlation between the hand and finger dimensions was found in the all groups. Furthermore the second/fourth finger index of male was higher in full term newborns. Hand index and second-fourth finger index were differences between male and female in full term newborn. Conclusions: With more expressions of the parameter of hand and second-fourth finger at prematüre and full term newborns and newborn with low birth weight the possibility of more information about individual variations will be given. Knowledge about normal variations in hand and second-fourth finger dimensions can help in diagnosis of pathologies or anomaly of skeleton and endocrine development.